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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Jack White has died

It is with great sadness that I report the news that our friend Jack White has died. Jack White was a pioneer in studying the photographic record of the JFK assassination. He made many significant contributions to the photographic record and our understanding of key issues in the JFK assassination. Thank you for your work Jack. You will be missed.

Jack D. White, 85, passed away Monday, June 18, 2012. Funeral: 3:30 p.m.Thursday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery.Visitation: 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home. Memorials:Those desiring to honor Jack's memory may contribute to a TCU JournalismDepartment scholarship fund or a charity of choice . Jack was born Jan.17, 1927, in San Angelo, moving to Fort Worth with his parents, JohnNathan White and Billie Lorena Dumas White, shortly after his birth.Graduating from Carter-Riverside High School in 1944, he worked brieflyfor the Fort Worth Press covering high school sports under the legendarysports editor H.H. "Pop" Boone. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy duringWorld War II and while serving attended Stanford University in the ROTCprogram. Discharged in 1946, Jack entered Texas Christian University,graduating in 1949 with a B.A. in journalism and began an advertisingcareer as copywriter and art director at Yates Advertising Agency. In1954, he joined Witherspoon and Ridings Public Relations Agency, whichlater became Witherspoon and Associates, as the firm's first artdirector. During his 27 years with the agency he rose to vice president,executive art director, personnel manager and part owner. He specializedin design and photography. Although he had photographed the city sincethe 1950s, he began collecting Fort Worth photographs seriously in 1972when Witherspoon was planning the 100th anniversary for one of itsclients and he was in charge of acquiring copies of historical prints ofFort Worth. After the event he took care to preserve all the exhibitmaterials and during the next 20 years he reproduced other client'shistorical photographs and took hundreds of pictures to add to thecollection. Jack retired from Witherspoon in 1981 and formed his owncompany, Jack White Enterprises, specializing in free-lance art andphotography. In 1984, taking two partners, the firm's name changed toVJS Companies. In 1991, he again became a sole proprietor. Because ofhis interest in Fort Worth history, he spearheaded a group of localhistorians and launched an internet website, which he named "The Way WeWere," to display and research old photos of the city. Another of Jack'sinterest has been the study of the John F. Kennedy assassination,serving as a photographic consultant to the U.S. Senate Select Committeeon Assassinations during its hearings, as well a consultant on the JFKfilm. He produced two videotapes on his photographic studies of theassassination and developed a slide lecture, while contributing hisresearch to books and professional journals. Jack's collection of JFKassassination books and materials and his old Fort Worth photographshave been donated to UTA Library's Special Collections where they areaccessible to those interested. Jack married the former Sue Benningfieldin 1969 and in 1977 they were instrumental in reactivating theirneighborhood home owners association. He served as president for severalyears. He painted many works of art which hang in private collectionsand adorn the walls of his modern home, as well as a large painting ofthe Fort Worth skyline on display at the Fort Worth Public Library. Hewas an avid TCU alumnus and until last year had not missed a homefootball or basketball game since 1946. He enjoyed yard work and raisingtomatoes, which he happily supplied his friends. Survivors: Wife, Sue;cousins, Pat O'Neal of Fort Worth, Laura O'Neal Tauzel of Arlington,Larry O'Neal of Fort Worth, Nancy Robbins of Denton and Shirley Hurleyof Haltom City; and a host of wonderful friends.

1 comment:

Very sad to hear this. Jack was a great guy; super. I vividly remember 11/22/97, Dallas, TX: Jack drove me around Dealey Plaza and surrounding areas, giving me an impromptu tour, as it were. He was always nice, online and in person. He will live on in our memories, in countless books he was quoted in, conference videos, and The Men Who Killed Kennedy series. RIP my friend